BJP welcomes granting of ST status to six communities of Assam

The Assam unit of BJP today welcomed Centre’e efforts of granting Scheduled Tribe status to six communities in the state, and accused the Congress of “only indulging in politics on the issue for the last 20 years.”

BJP state unit spokesman Rupam Goswami also warned the organisations that were allegedly trying to come in the way of the six communities from being included in the Scheduled Tribe list.

Goswami accused the Congress of “only giving false promises to the people of the six communities. Some organisations, under its (Congress) umbrella, in self interest are also seen to be obstructing the Centre’s efforts.”

“Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has taken the initiative and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going forward positively taking the issue very seriously,” the spokesman said.

Following the meeting today in Delhi for granting ST status to six communities, Goswami quoted Union Minister Jual Oram saying the six communities would be accorded ST status and efforts would be made to change the necessary modalities for the purpose within this year.

The six communities, which were part of the Other Backward Castes (OBCs) and agitating for a long time to be granted ST status were the Koch-Rajbongshis, Tai Ahoms, Morans, Sutiyas, Motoks and the Chah Jonogosti (tea tribes).

Their inclusion in the ST list was also a key demand of the pro-talk ULFA faction.